Council Election 2007

[Maria]

That might be harder this time round as the ward is such a big ward, then again the majority of the come from in and around Portobello, so maybe not.

Mrs M

Not sure what difference the size of the ward makes Mrs M regarding my own criterion that any candidate wanting to represent Ward 17 ought to actually live within the Portobello/Craigmillar ward boundaries I do appreciate, however, that it is a big ward to represent and within the area there will be different priorities for different residents. For example, even if we take education as a common issue, the future of Lismore Primary may be a factor in how some folk vote, while for others it might be the stance the candidate takes regarding the site for the new Portobello High and St John's Primary schools.

I must admit I am a bit in the dark about some of the candidates - mainly those who term themselves as Independent. A very good reason I suppose to attend the local hustings.

[Mrs Mangle]

I've attended a few of the hustings Marya and it seems to be the same 2/3 independants that attend, as well as Lawerence and Maureen was at one of them, I suppose they might attend nearer the 3rd May.

I don't think the independants have a grasp on the whole of the new ward, whereas the ones who have been around longer seems to be in the know from the other councillors in the Chambers.

Surely who ever is selected will represent the entire ward as fairly as possible, kind of as and when, if you see my meaning.

Mrs M

Also not to be cheeky, listening to them over and over again is getting boring, .

[Porty]

Are candidates addresses available through a FOIA request?

[Porty]

For example, even if we take education as a common issue, the future of Lismore Primary may be a factor in how some folk vote, while for others it might be the stance the candidate takes regarding the site for the new Portobello High and St John's Primary schools.

I must admit I am a bit in the dark about some of the candidates - mainly those who term themselves as Independent. A very good reason I suppose to attend the local hustings.

BURNS Archie, Independent you don't need to got to the hustings to know what Archie wants for the new PHS, his preference is an on-site decant with a simultaneous rebuild of PHS. Archie has been consistent throughout. He is an active member of PHS school board and as such has ploughed a lonley furrow these last few months. I strongly disagree with him but he deserves respect all the same.

[wangi]

Are candidates addresses available through a FOIA request?

Hopefully anyone daft enough to make such a request would be told to GTF and no money would be wasted on it. After this info is freely available.

[Bob Jefferson]

BURNS Archie, Independent [/b]you don't need to got to the hustings to know what Archie wants for the new PHS, his preference is an on-site decant with a simultaneous rebuild of PHS. Archie has been consistent throughout. He is an active member of PHS school board and as such has ploughed a lonley furrow these last few months. I strongly disagree with him but he deserves respect all the same.

I thought the name sounded familiar. That's another I can cross off my list then.

[Porty]

.....and before anyone comes on to say that they would be available through FOIA not so as address` are not given out under FOIA.

Mrs M

Are candidates addresses available through a FOIA request?

Hopefully anyone daft enough to make such a request would be told to GTF and no money would be wasted on it. After this info is freely available.

Just out of interest Mrs M; how did you discover that address' are not given out under FOIA?

[Mrs Mangle]

I happen to work within the council that how I know they are not available under FOIA, nor are any personal letters anybody sends, you'd be amazed at what is not allowed, and folk take offence when told this.
People request the daftiest things, I suppose it's not daft to them right enough.

Mrs M

[Bob Jefferson]

From today's EN:

Porty speed hustings plan for election hopefuls

[Maria]

*bump*

A wee reminder to anyone interested of tonight's hustings in the Town Hall at 7 p.m. See you there.

[Izzie]

Would love to come,but I have no childcare

[Bob Jefferson]

I am sure you are not the only one in this position Izzie. Online hustings would have given people like yourself the opportunity to participate.

[Izzie]

Maybe one day it will be online for people who can't get out.

[tom nimmo]

I just got back from holiday and didn't know that it was going to be a speed-dating type of format. I'm not sure if I actually pulled anyone but it was enjoyable all the same. I thought you decided to ditch the online hustings for 'personal reasons' Bob. If you think it is still worth it, why don't you give it a go and do it as a 'new topic'? I had pretty much made up my mind where my votes were going prior to the hustings and nothing I saw or heard last night has made much of a difference.

[Bob Jefferson]

I reckon there were maybe 100 people there last night maximum. Take away the candidates and that leaves around 80, a pretty insignificant percentage of the voting population. Bearing in mind, these are the hard-core who are actually interested in local politics and the most unlikely to change their voting intentions.

Nevertheless, it was an interesting and mostly enjoyable experience and the format worked well.

Time constraints meant that we weren't able to meet all the candidates, so here are my impressions of those I did see.

Lawrence is terrible at these things but I know that he will continue to do a great job for Portobello. Honest to a fault, hard-working - he gets my vote every time.

John Smart is an affable sort of bloke but how can you take a creationist seriously? What about the fossil record John? How do you explain the dinosaurs?

Peter McColl is a young, intelligent and enthusiastic representative of the Green Party and I was pleased to learn that he is supporting the Council's decision to site a new PHS on Portobello Park.

Archie Burns wants my kids to be taught in a tower block, on a site that is too small by any standards, with no on-site sports provision. And he thinks the whole school can be demolished and re-built during the school holidays. And he is spreading the rumour that the Council is lying about the Golf Course and intends to put housing there. Somehow, I don't think I will be voting for him.

Alison Miller is the Tory candidate. Otherwise she seems very nice.

All things considered, the atmosphere was very convivial and spoiled only by a very unpleasant and spiteful leaflet that was being handed out by Dickie Alexander, amounting to no more than a character assasination of our current councillors.

Interestingly, it was signed 'President PCATS' which had subsequently been scored out with a black marker pen.

This post has been edited to reflect my initial error in suggesting that the letter had been signed 'Chair PCATS'. - BJ

[Jamesie]

All things considered, the atmosphere was very convivial and spoiled only by a very unpleasant and spiteful leaflet that was being handed out by Dickie Alexander, amounting to no more than a character assasination of our current councillors.

Interestingly, it was signed 'President, PCATS' which had subsequently been scored out with a black marker pen.

There is a blast from the past if there ever was one. I remember as a 13 year old at Porty High being put in touch with Dickie in relation to a school project. I'm sure he must have still been a councillor at the time. We went up to the City Chambers in his car and he sorted me out with the info I needed. He must be fair getting on a bit now.


This post has been edited to correct an inaccuracy expressed in the original quote - Administrator

[Porty]

All things considered, the atmosphere was very convivial and spoiled only by a very unpleasant and spiteful leaflet that was being handed out by Dickie Alexander, amounting to no more than a character assasination of our current councillors.

Interestingly, it was signed 'President, PCATS' which had subsequently been scored out with a black marker pen.

This post has been edited to correct an inaccuracy expressed in the original quote - Administrator

[Bob Jefferson]

I have been asked to point out that Dickie's letter was in fact signed 'President PCATS' before being scored out. On closer examination this is indeed the case. The current chair is of course Stephen Hawkins, who has 'no opinion' on the leaflet. It all makes sense now.

[Sandra]

Indeed..

[bearcub]

I'm leaning towards voting Green 1st on the Council vote but, tbh, I'm still up for persuasion as no-one in particular has stood out for me locally.

[Bob Jefferson]

It's a very interesting situation. We have a record number of candidates and a new voting system.

The SNP is doing well in national polls, but will this be reflected in the Council election? Will Portobello/Craigmillar be decided on party lines, personalities or local issues?

I think you have to start with the present incumbents, Maureen and Lawrence. For my money, they have served us well for the last 13 or 14 years. If there is anyone who cares more or works harder for our community than our present councillors then I have yet to meet them. I'm judging them on their record, on their skill and experience, intelligence, honesty and integrity.

But you need more than these qualities to survive in local politics. You need diplomacy, negotiating skills, resilience, strength of character and self-belief. As local councillor you can expect to be unfairly criticised, harangued, libeled and generally abused as part of the territory. Occasionally, someone may thank you, but don't hold your breath. It's a tough job for relatively little reward.

The last couple of years in particular have been very difficult for Lawrence and Maureen as they have sought to represent a community divided on a number of issues. Yet they have done so with skill, good judgement and a quiet dignity.

Frankly, I wouldn't blame either of them if they felt that they had done their bit, but I know that they are both as committed as ever to serving our community. It would be great to have a Green councillor (and I'm tipping Peter McColl for greater things), but right now my priority has to be to help re-elect the people who have done more than anyone else for the Portobello area, working for and together with us to make it the great place it is. I'm not saying that everything in the garden is rosy by any means, but who would live anywhere else?

The new voting system means that this is far from a foregone conclusion. If you share my view that they both deserve to be re-elected then the tactical vote is Lawrence 1, Maureen 2 (or vice versa, but without making further selections) and that is precisely what I will be doing.

[bearcub]

"And there ends the Party Political broadcast for the Labour Party"

[Bob Jefferson]

Ends? There are two weeks to go. I haven't started yet.

[Sandra]

Each to their own Bob, not decided yet which Councillors Im going to vote for.

[Bob Jefferson]

I would say that I'm voting for Lawrence and Maureen rather than voting for Labour. I'm voting for the best people for the job, not a party. And I know what I said earlier about voting tactics, but in the spirit of proportional representation I think I may well vote Green 3. I have a lot of admiration for the independent candidate, Margaret Munro, but her stance on the schools issue means that I can't vote for her and I won't be voting Lib Dem for the same reason.

[Bob Jefferson]

I thought you decided to ditch the online hustings for 'personal reasons' Bob. If you think it is still worth it, why don't you give it a go and do it as a 'new topic'?

You're right Tom. It was a good idea and although I don't feel I can do it in an official capacity on behalf of the Community Council, there is nothing to stop me (or anyone else for that matter) asking questions of the candidates and publishing their responses.

I have email addresses for 9 of the 14 candidates, so I will start with them. If anyone has contacts for the following: CIRCI Massimo, DAVIES Norrie, KERR Gerry, MORAN Jan, SMART John I'll be happy to include them.

Here are my questions:

1. Do you support the decisions taken by the Council in December 2006 regarding the replacement of Portobello High School and St Johns?

2. What are your views on the Council's plans for Meadowbank?

3. What are your priorities for the Portobello/Craigmillar area and how will you achieve them?

I will post responses as and when I get them.

[Epykat]

I have a lot of admiration for the independent candidate, Margaret Munro, but her stance on the schools issue means that I can't vote for her and I won't be voting Lib Dem for the same reason.

Thanks for that. It saves me trawling through it all for reasons to vote for Lib Dem or Margaret

[Mrs Mangle]

Morning all,
I have been asked through this forum if anyone know how to get in touch with the following would be councillors :

Archie Burns Independant
Massimo Circi Liberal
Gerry Kerr Independant
Peter McColl Greens
John Smart Independant.

Apparently these councillor seem non contactable, the ladies of Bingham wish to invite them to the hustings in Bingham this coming Thursday, 6:30pm in Lismore Primary School.
If anyone here knows how to contact them could you ask them to E Mail the following person: gail@lpag.org.uk

Also is there any truth in the rumour about the Porty hustings last week that none of the would be councillors knew very much about the ward after the tunnel on Brighton Place, it's said that when asked about other parts of the ward other than Portobello, the majority of them could say NOTHING, but were honest about the fact.
If this is right then why bother standing if you don't want to represent EVERYONE when possible.

[Maria]

Morning all,
I have been asked through this forum if anyone know how to get in touch with the following would be councillors :

Archie Burns Independant
Massimo Circi Liberal
Gerry Kerr Independant
Peter McColl Greens
John Smart Independant.

For Peter McColl, Mrs M, try this email address:
portobello-craigmillar@edinburghgreens.org.uk

Also is there any truth in the rumour about the Porty hustings last week that none of the would be councillors knew very much about the ward after the tunnel on Brighton Place, it's said that when asked about other parts of the ward other than Portobello, the majority of them could say NOTHING, but were honest about the fact.
If this is right then why bother standing if you don't want to represent EVERYONE when possible.

I didn't meet all the candidates Mrs M as there wasn't enough time and several were missing from the hustings -Massimo Cirrci, Gerry Kerr, Jan Moran and Norrie Davies - which suggests to me that they may not be interested in the Portobello area of the new ward.

However, from the candidates I did meet ( John Smart,Archie Burns,Alison Miller, Peter McColl and Lawrence Marshall), Lawrence was the candidate who had the best knowledge of the whole ward.

[Mrs Mangle]

Can I make something clear please, the Bingham meeting is on THURSDAY 26th April, not Monday I as I already stated sorry for confusion.

Another thing, some candidates have been invited to another meeting on the same evening , I think they are being lead to think it also is a hustings, not so the meeting in Magdalene is the Magdalene Neighbourhhod Association AGM.

Hope that clears a few matters up.

M

[Bob Jefferson]

Swap you an Archie Burns for a Norrie Davies if you like? PM me.

To be fair to the candidates that didn't appear at Portobello, I think the problem was that the organisers had the same problems that we have in trying to establish contact.

The new ward covers a large area and a lot of different issues and that in itself is going to be a huge challenge for whoever is elected.

[Bob Jefferson]

The first response to my questions comes from Lawrence Marshall. I will post his replies one at a time:

1. Do you support the decisions taken by the Council in December 2006 regarding the replacement of Portobello High School and St Johns?

Yes. To build a new High School on Portobello Park wasn't an easy decision to take but it represented in the end the best compromise if the school was to have its own playing fields and St. John's get a playing pitch back as well. My bottom line was that the golf course should not be built on - and that's been achieved.

I was also glad that the Council, when it made its decsion, did so unanimously with all-party backing. I didn't want the issue of the new High School and St. John's to become a party-political football.

I've pasted in immediately below what I wrote at the end of the consultation period on 30th October last year which I hope sets out my views more fully.

Finally, I've also pasted in my statement of 21 December 2006 sent to all those on my Portobello group e-mail list immediately following the Council's decision that day to go forward with the Portobello Park option for the High School and the High School site option for St. John's.

For the record - and now that the consultation period initiated by this report is today drawing to a close - I myself prefer Option C. It undoubtedly means the loss of a large chunk of green space on Portobello Park but it seems to me to be the compromise most acceptable and, crucially, deliverable.

I had scrambled around - perhaps rather frantically - earlier this year trying to find sites that would not lead to the loss of any open space. Most of the suggestions made at that time and now considered in the above report clearly come with the added difficulty of requiring acquisition by the Council and re-location of existing uses or are problematic in terms of their size or in terms of planning policy. The question of sites other than those outlined in the three options above really didn't arise at any of the three consultation meetings held this month in the community.

Option C, of course, is itself not without risk in terms of planning policy but it achieves one crucial goal - it preserves the golf course. But it does more than that. It allows a new High School to be built there, avoiding a costly, lengthy and disruptive decant to the Park that would be required with the correspondingly more expensive Option A. It also "future proofs" the question of what would happen when another new High School was required in, say, 50 years time. Simply put, that generation would not find itself in the unenviable situation we find ourselves in today as a result of a decision taken two generations ago - for, if a new school was again to be required, building now on the Park with grass pitches to the far side of the site (in addition to one all-weather pitch) would allow any subsequent new school to be built on those pitches and the pitches re-provided on the site of the building then demolished. This swapover scenario could continue forever.

I fully recognise that, for those who currently enjoy the Park, Option C represents a significant loss of amenity. The gain to the community overall - a new High School with playing pitches attached for the first time ever - is, however, in my view much greater. I hope, though, that it will be possible to plan in a small pocket park for local youngsters to kick a ball about, etc.. That kind of informal use of open space is something we should strive to retain.

As for the use of the current pitches by Portobello Thistle, it may be possible for them to use the two grass pitches being provided beside the school but, if constant use by the school renders these sub-standard for Portobello Thistle league use, then I hope that the planned re-development of the Jewel and Esk Valley College to the east will allow the Joppa Quarry Park to be upgraded to become a suitable alternative.

From Milton Road the view towards Portobello, the Forth and Fife will undoubtedly change - but, for most of its length, it will still be available.

What, then, of St. John's? Here I prefer Option A - a re-build, with attached all-weather pitch, on the current site of the High School. I would even hope that St. John's could make use of the current new gym at the High School and possibly also the swimming pool - it would seem a shame and very wasteful to knock these down.

The current site of St. John's could then be sold off for housing/conversion into flats to allow at least some financial contribution to be made by the Council towards the likely overall cost of more than £40 million - it's hoped that the Scottish Executive will provide the bulk of the monies required.

So, build a new High School on the Park, then knock down the existing High School and, finally, re-build St. John's on the old High School site. That I think is the best way forward to resolving this very difficult issue for the whole community. I'm sorry that for some this will seem too bitter a pill to swallow - but I believe that it does try to balance many conflicting interests in a way least detrimental to the Portobello community overall.


[Option A is to re-build the High School on the combined existing sites of the High School and St. John's Primary School (which latter would then have to be re-built elsewhere).
Option B is to re-build the High School on Portobello Golf Course.
Option C is to re-build the High School on Portobello Park.]

Statement, 21 December 2006

I know that the issue of finding a way to get a new Portobello High School with playing fields and a new St. John's with a playing pitch restored - since the current High School was built on St. John's playing fields - has been one on which views have differed markedly within the Portobello community.

I know too that all sides have acknowledged the need for new schools.

People also rightly value the green space that gives Portobello part of its identity and people-friendly character.

Trying to square that circle has not been easy and I won't pretend that today's decision to build a new High School on Portobello Park and a new St.

John's on the current High School site succeeds fully in that all but impossible task.

But what it does do is to identify sites for these new schools so that we can now, with more confidence, approach the Scottish Executive with costed estimates in order to persuade them to fund this ambitious overall project for Portobello.

It also saves the golf course - the object of my almost frantic attempts earlier this year to identify brownfield sites on which to place, in particular, a new High School with playing fields.

Back in the 1960s a decision was taken which was far from ideal - to build the current High School on a frankly very, very tight site. That led to a building design far from ideal even back then and no on-site playing fields whatsoever. It also, as I mentioned above, deprived St. John's of its playing fields - and left them with a nice building which today, however, offers classroom sizes, etc. far smaller than required by statute.

Today's decision helps to build two new schools where those shortcomings - and more - have been honestly addressed. It also future-proofs Portobello from having again to agonise in this way when and if the new High School itself needs replaced - for it would be easy ad infinitum to swap school and pitches round at that time which re-building on the current cramped site would never have made possible.

I'm grateful to all those many people who have contributed to this debate - and also to Council officials for the way in which they in particular went into the community to outline the various options and their consequences.

That today's vote was unanimous - with all-party approval - I think clearly indicates that councillors, faced with this tough decision, saw that the recommendations in the report from our officials were, although not perfect, the right ones to go with.

It would perhaps have been easy to "duck" this issue - but, in the end, as with most councillors, I stood for elected office to try to improve the area in which I live for the benefit of the greatest number. It's no mean task - but I hope that principle guided the way I voted today.

[Bob Jefferson]

2. What are your views on the Council's plans for Meadowbank?

The desire to create for Edinburgh and the surrounding region of South-East Scotland sporting facilities fit for the 21st century is one which most people would welcome - but how to do it? In bidding for monies from the Scottish Executive (who asked local authorities throughout Scotland to compete for money to build new regional facilities of national significance) the City of Edinburgh Council commisioned reports which indicated that a refurbishment of Meadowbank was not good value for money - and would result in a stadium perhaps not of a size to be able to hold international athletics events these days anyway. Instead it was proposed to build a new stadium at Sighthill. The Commonwealth Pool, however, was deemed to be worthy of retention - but would need a good deal of money spent on it. The Jack Kane Centre was also in the frame for redevelopment - for a football academy and a velodrome.

The Council was, in the end, awarded only a fraction of the money needed to realise this comprehensive package.

Originally, it was thought that all of the Meadowbank site would need to be sold off to make up the funding shortfall and I started to argue that the new East Edinburgh sports centre proposed to still provide a local sports centre for the east of the city should perhaps be built beside the Indoor Bowls Centre in Portobello. Around the autumn of last year, however, it became clear that only 80% of the Meadowbank site was required to fund the overall proposals (now minus the Jack Kane Centre proposals) and that therefore the new East Edinburgh sports centre could be built on the remaining 20% of the Meadowbank site (where that bit would be is still to be determined but I want it to be prominently located and not tucked away, for instance, where the velodrome currently is).

This local centre needs to meet the needs of local people - and what's proposed is actually fairly substantial: 6 court sports hall, fitness centre, 2 further activity studios, martial arts room, 4 squash courts, specialist fencing provision, synthetic floodlit football training area, a creche, reception, sales, office, meeting function, admin, staff room, first aid facilities, shower and changing accommodation and car park.

Granted if you're an athlete in the east of the city, it might not suit you - but I ran marathons in 2h 45m and never once trained at Meadowbank! Still, for most people like my dad (with whom I played table tennis at Meadowbank as recently as the 16th of April 2007), what's proposed seems fairly OK.

I had anticipated that facilties for athletes requiring to sprint or hurdle, etc. would in future be at Sighthill but I now hear that there's probably enough room at Meadowbank to also include a running track in what's being proposed for the East Edinburgh sports centre. This can happen if the proposed public square at Meadowbank is taken out of the development brief.

So, if we can finance a new stadium to meet the city and region's needs at Sighthill, refurbish the Commonwealth Pool and provide a new East Edinburgh sports centre meeting local needs at Meadowbank - then I think I can live with that.

[Bob Jefferson]

3. What are your priorities for the Portobello/Craigmillar area and how will you achieve them?

• Work with local people to ensure development proposals build on the strengths of local communities
  
  Make sure that all our schools, new and refurbished, are rooted in their communities, meeting the needs of all our children
  
  Press for excellent local sporting facilities and community centres, accessible to all
  
  Provide more local community beat police officers
  
  Ensure delivery of Edinburgh’s plans to provide far better transport choices for all
  
  Work with you to build even better communities in Portobello and Craigmillar

The first point re. development proposals will involve working with local groups to make a positive contribution to the development of the North West Portobello Masterplan. The consultants have at long last now been appointed and already Planning officials are asking me to suggest initial contacts for them. In Craigmillar the huge development proposals there need to ensure community support across the board. The regeneration company PARC need to be firmly embedded in the new community planning structures shortly to be put in place.

On the schools issue, we need to make sure that the facilities proposed will meet the aspirations of both the school communities and the wider local communities. Already Portobello High School Board (soon to become the school Forum) is sending out questionnaires on this. At Towerbank primary school the creation of a single site school is now no longer just a dream - the finance has been committed. In Craigmillar a new St. Francis/Niddrie Mill joint campus primary school is being built as we speak - and a new community high school is planned to form part of the new town centre. In Bingham, my first priority would be to argue creatively for the retention of a primary school at Lismore.

Re. sporting facilities, some of these will come courtesy of the new schools. The Indoor Bowls Centre in Portobello, the Portobello Swim Centre, the various bowling greens - all these will remain. Football pitches should be open to all - even if part of a new school. A third generation pitch is being provided at Castlebrae High School. The Jack Kane Centre will probably soldier on without much change in the next few years - but any new investment must have community support and be for the better. As for community centres, a new Portobello Community Centre possibly combined with a new Portobello Library is being looked at on the current sites of both - perhaps funded by Housing Association flats above. Magdalene will continue to have its own community centre - as will Bingham. The community centre wing of the Jack Kane Centre will also remain. There are numerous other community facilities throughout the Portobello and Craigmillar ward - all these make an invaluable contribution to the community.

Edinburgh Labour have promised in their manifesto ( www.edinburgh.labour.co.uk ) to fund more beat bobbies.

A new public transport route to the Royal Infirmary, trams, the possible re-opening of the South Suburban line to local passenger trains (with halts at Portobello, Asda/Fort Kinnaird, Niddrie/Bingham - www.reopenthesouthsub.org.uk if you want more information on this campaign and to sign the petition to the Scottish Parliament), direct rail links to the Borders, better pedestrian and cycling facilities, etc. are all in the Edinburgh Labour manifesto. We also need to look at trying to ensure better bus links between Portobello and Craigmillar - not easy as this will likely require an increase in subsidy to the bus companies. And, of course, we need to remember both bus and rail links to the new Queen Margaret University campus being built just on our doorstep at Craighall (Musselburgh station is very well suited for travel to the new campus from the city centre but links from Newcraighall station need to be improved). Finally, we need to maintain roads to standards fit for driving on - and safe for everyone.

As for the last point - no councillor can do everything. We need the help of our local communities, we need the help of officials. We need to represent those who elect us and be able (hopefully wisely!) to do the best for folk even when they have very different views on what they want and how to proceed.

[Porty]

I have been asked to point out that Dickie's letter was in fact signed 'President PCATS' before being scored out. On closer examination this is indeed the case. The current chair is of course Stephen Hawkins, who has 'no opinion' on the leaflet. It all makes sense now.

To be fair on Dickie its probably just a lack of communication that led him to believe he was still the PRESIDENT of PCATS. It is impossible to find out who the individuals of the PCATS committee are, as their privacy is guarded by the only identifiable members of PCATS; Diana Cairns and Stephen Hawkins. So its little wonder he doesn't know what the latest position is in the ever changing core. Is anyone else aware of the identities of any other PCATS committee members? Who is the Vice-President? How come the Chair of PCATS has no opinion on leaflets that are being handed out in the name of his organisation by a former or future President?

Edit: added in the names of the individuals who have publicly insisted that other members of the PCATS committee shall remain nameless.